Stigma is a process by which the reaction of the others spoils normal identity.
Society provides us with a range of roles and identities that are considered "normal".
The roles-identity we enact in public is defined for us by society.
But the self- identity we have in private when we are not subject to public scrutiny, is who we actually are, our"essential" self.
When there is a major discrepancy between our public identity and our private self, and when performance of our role identity is unconvincing, we are liable to be labelled negatively.
When this negative labelling is repeated over time, stigma occers.
Virtual and actual identity.